The emerging interface of mass spectrometry with materials

Abstract

Mass spectrometry (MS), a hundred-year-old subject, has been a technique of profound importance to molecular science. Its impact in solid-state materials science has not been evident, although many materials of modern science, such as fullerenes, have their origins in MS. Of late, mass spectrometric interface with materials is increasingly strengthened with advances in atomically precise clusters of noble metals. Advances in instrumentation along with recent developments in synthetic approaches have expanded the chemistry of clusters, and new insights into matter at the nanoscale are emerging. High-resolution MS coupled with soft ionization techniques enable efficient characterization of atomically precise clusters. Apart from that, techniques such as ion mobility, tandem MS, etc. reveal structural details of these systems. Growth, nucleation, and reactivity of clusters are also probed by MS. Some of the recent advancements in this field include the development of new hyphenated techniques. Finer structural details may be obtained by coupling MS with spectroscopic tools, such as photoelectron spectroscopy, vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy, etc. With such advancements in instrumentation, MS can evolve into a universal tool for the characterization of materials. The present review captures highlights of this area.

Ligand-protected gold/silver superatoms: current status and emerging trends

“…The operating principles of other methods and their application to ligand-protected Au/Ag superatoms can be found in recent publications. [118][119][120][121][122] 3.1.1 Mass spectrometry. The most fundamental application of mass spectrometry is the determination of chemical compositions and net charge of chemically synthesized superatoms.…”

Copper nanoclusters: designed synthesis, structural diversity, and multiplatform applications

“…It furthermore allows to monitor ligand exchange reactions in situ and analyse the intermediate products of such processes at any time. 436 Thus, it can provide insight into reaction mechanisms. Several mass spectrometry techniques based on soft and hard ionization modes, have been used for the determination of the clusters' composition.…”

New Methodology for the Identification of Metabolites of Saccharides and Cyclitols by Off-Line EC-MALDI-TOF-MS

“…The ions at m/z 370.9 (E), 354.9 (J), and 346. 9 (dimer of D-pinitol and adduct with sodium). The signals at m/z 376.9 [C 13 H 21 NaO 11 ] + (G) and m/z 361.9 [C 13 H 23 NaO 10 ] + (I) could result from the ion at m/z 392.9 by the loss of a methyl group (14 u) and oxygen atom (16 u), respectively.…”

“…The MALDI-TOF-MS technique in recent decades became irreplaceable in the analysis of individual compounds and their mixtures and also in complex biological matrices. The development of ‘soft’ ionization methods, high-throughput techniques and quantitative methods has expanded the use of mass spectrometry (MS) in the study of the structure, function, and modification of low molecular weight compounds [ 8 , 9 ]. The use of MALDI-TOF-MS in the analysis of metabolites of low molecular weight compounds allows eliminating chromatographic separation [ 10 ].…”